Gadkari at India Water Week-2017

“285 new irrigation projects will be taken up by next year to provide irrigation for 1 crore 88 lakh hectare of land” , announced Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping. He also said that 27 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) will be getting completed by this year.

He also stated that drip irrigation and irrigation through pipeline will be the priority areas for the Government as this will save large amount of water and also cut down the cost involved in acquiring land. Gadkari also said that Inter linking of rivers is very important to save people from floods and droughts. He said 30 Projects for river linking have been approved out of which work on three projects namely Ken- Betwa, Par- Tapi Narmada and Daman Ganga Pinjal will start within three months. The Minister said Government is exploring the possibility of creating a large fund for inter liking of rivers.

He was addressing the inaugural session of India Water Week-2017 which was inaugurated by the President, Ram Nath Kovind. About 1500 delegates from India and 13 other countries are expected at the five day international event. The theme of India Water Week – 2017 is “Water and Energy for Inclusive Growth”.